The 82nd Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade dates will be Thursday, May 29-Sunday, June 1, the Elks Recreation Board of Directors has announced.
Other Elks Rodeo activities open the first week in April, starting Saturday, April 5 with the official Queen Kickoff Dinner and Auction. Four young ladies will begin vying for the Elks Rodeo Queen title through fundraiser efforts for their sponsoring organization.
Other rodeo traditions, including the Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday, May 31, are on tap as well. Action-packed performances will include bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, specialty acts, mutton ‘bustin,’ and barrel racing.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of food vendors; and Camp Buckaroo for kids.
New this year is the Santa Maria Elks Xtreme Bulls Event, Wednesday, May 28, when fans watch the toughest bull riders and wildest bulls come together for a showdown, the rodeo said.
“Whether you’re a fan of rodeo or looking for a new experience, the Xtreme Bulls event is the ultimate place to find non-stop action, thrilling moments, and pure excitement,” Elks Rodeo said.
Tickets for both the Elks Rodeo and the Xtreme Bulls event go on sale Friday, March 14 via the Elks Recreation website.
For more, call the Rodeo Office, 805-925-4125.
The Elks Recreation Foundation was established in 1943 when it held its first fundraising event, a dance at the Veteran’s Memorial Building. Funds raised from that event were used to put on the first Elks Rodeo in 1944.
The initial two day event was preceded each day by a mounted parade from the Veteran’s Memorial Building to the Santa Maria Fairgrounds.
The first Rodeo netted Elks Recreation nearly $3,000 that first year, and a long history of fundraising to support local youth sports and recreation was born.
Since then, more than $17 million have been distributed to local youth recreation programs through the Annual Elks Rodeo Queen Contest.
The Elks Recreation Board of Directors thanks the community for its support.